i have two minor league prospects in my system, one of which progresses to be a stud Closer at the ML level. Is it wise to make him my Closer A at the High A level this season? I'm afraid he won't get the max IP because he's only coming in during save situations. Anyone use their good prospect relievers as set up guys to get them more innings? 

yes to using him as a SuA and a lot of good owners continue the practice once the player has reached the majors based on the same reasoning

i use all of my good relievers as setup guys to get them more innings.

the closer role is dumb and should never be used.

Posted by deanod on 12/1/2011 12:54:00 PM (view original):
i use all of my good relievers as setup guys to get them more innings.

the closer role is dumb and should never be used.

You use 2 Setup A's as your closers instead?

Posted by deanod on 12/1/2011 12:54:00 PM (view original):
i use all of my good relievers as setup guys to get them more innings.

the closer role is dumb and should never be used.

I use a closer, but only because I have two monster Setup-A guys in front of him, so I don't need to maximize his innings.  And he is only 56 Dur/16 Sta anyway, so he's not giving too many innings away as a closer.

There is some value in a shut down 9th inning guys.  There is a bit of higher leverage due to the lack of at bats you have left.

Posted by jonas1102 on 12/2/2011 7:13:00 PM (view original):

Posted by deanod on 12/1/2011 12:54:00 PM (view original):
i use all of my good relievers as setup guys to get them more innings.

the closer role is dumb and should never be used.

I use a closer, but only because I have two monster Setup-A guys in front of him, so I don't need to maximize his innings.  And he is only 56 Dur/16 Sta anyway, so he's not giving too many innings away as a closer.

There is some value in a shut down 9th inning guys.  There is a bit of higher leverage due to the lack of at bats you have left.

In that same vein, a closer's innings will get wasted less often than anyone else by one side or another have a huge inning after he has already left the game.  Its pretty minor and I am sure deanod is right, but just a thought.

Oh I agree.  I am against using closers.  It's just a perfect storm situation as to why I use one.  So I wouldn't say never use a closer.  Never say never.

All this "closer is dumb" debate aside, if you want to maximize his usage in the minors, use him as a tandem B every time he's 100%.   He'll have to be set at 40 pitches but, if he can't handle the workload, use pull of 5.   He'll get a shot to pitch and then you can move him to rest until he's 100% again.

I've taken the tandem idea a little further, even in the majors.  I've got 2 stud setup guys with 40+ stamina and 90+ durability.  Either would make elite "Mr. Maagic Closers", but I use both as tandem B starters.  It takes active managing, but one is a tandem 3A and the other a tandem 4A.  I reduce the pitch counts of my 4 starters and actively rotate them through the 3A and 4A slots.  Halfway through the season, both guys are on pace for 180-200 innings, along with the same amount for the 4 starters.  One of my LR relievers can be spot-started (which sometimes becomes necessary with extra inning games or if one guy gets lit up a time or two) and the rest of the pen is solid.

I also do not use a 'closer' on any of my ML teams.  I don't care how many "saves" anyone gets.  I fail to see the same value in holding a 3-run lead in one inning pitched versus holding a tie game for 2-3 innings.  Of course that's probably why one of my Tandem B relievers is on pace for 24 wins (another stat that doesn't mean as much individually).

As far as the original quesion, if you want your prospect to develop, maximize his innings and expose him to good coaching.  His stats won't matter at all.